incompetence

Also in·com·pe·ten·cy

[in-kom-pi-tuhns]

noun

1. the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.

2. Law.,  the condition of lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of incompetence¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from French incompétence (equivalent to in- negative prefix + compétence); variant of earlier incompetency; incompetent; -cy, -ence, -ency

Example Sentences

The ordeal, he says, now “smells like incompetence.”

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Plenty of others have been responsible for the Dodgers’ late-game incompetence.

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Its principal went before a Scottish Parliament committee and admitted incompetence and senior board members resigned over the mismanagement.

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If the Dodgers manage to get to the World Series this year, it will be in spite of Dave Roberts’ obvious incompetence that was fully on display in Tuesday night’s game against the Phillies.

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When “Canceled” details the firestorm that followed, the amount of incompetence on display is shocking.

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Related Words

• inability 
• ineptitude 
• inexperience